The Federal Government says it has evacuated 1,490 Nigerian nationals from South Africa through a series of humanitarian flights following ongoing xenophobic attacks and related security concerns.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday by its Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, following the completion of the fifth phase of the voluntary evacuation programme.
Ebienfa said the fifth evacuation flight, operated by Air Peace, departed O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, at 6:30 a.m. South African time on Wednesday and arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at 11:30 a.m.
He said the aircraft conveyed 308 passengers, comprising 305 returnees and three Nigerian government officials who coordinated and supervised the evacuation.
“The Federal Government has now evacuated a total of 1,490 Nigerians from South Africa through a series of coordinated humanitarian flights undertaken in partnership with Air Peace Limited and South African Airways,” he said.
Ebienfa said the evacuation followed sustained diplomatic engagement with the South African government in response to security concerns arising from xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Nigerians.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the welfare of Nigerians abroad in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the evacuation programme began on June 10, when Air Peace evacuated 258 Nigerians, followed by South African Airways, which airlifted 66 returnees on June 24.
He said Air Peace subsequently evacuated 272 Nigerians on June 30, 268 on July 2, 282 on July 9 and 305 on July 15, while South African Airways returned another 39 Nigerians on July 11.
Ebienfa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated the evacuation in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NEMA, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Port Health Services and other relevant agencies.
He commended Air Peace for its support throughout the evacuation exercise, outlining the airline’s role as patriotic and instrumental to its success.
According to him, the operation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to its citizens’ diplomacy policy, which prioritises the protection, welfare and dignity of Nigerians abroad.
Ebienfa said the government would continue to engage South Africa through diplomatic channels to promote the safety and peaceful coexistence of all residents while maintaining that xenophobia, racial intolerance and violence against foreign nationals remained unacceptable.
He also urged Nigerians living abroad to obey the laws of their host countries, register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain regular contact with the missions to facilitate timely consular assistance when required. (NAN)
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